Hello, friends! It’s time for another A Favorite Thing Saturday – our fifth! It’s a rainy Friday as I write this post, rather dreary and gray, so let’s look at some happy highlights of last week’s party.
Be still my heart – look at all those deliciously vintage Santas and other Christmas goodies. Dottie, of It’s Just Dottie, displays these gems in a cabinet in her entryway. How could you not smile every time you walked past it?
Rob, of Island Rustic, collects mottos. I, too, am drawn to these wonderfully framed vintage mottos, with fabulous graphics and words to live by. I only have one, but Rob has a whole collection!
And look at this dearly loved bear:
Anikó, of Idle Needle, has had this teddy bear since she was a child. You must read the story to get all the details, but years later, sweet teddy had no more eyes. Eventually, she decided to use all of her mother-of-pearl buttons to create new eyes for him. Or as Anikó says, to make his eyes bright as buttons.
I love seeing everyone’s favorite things. And I think I’m not the only one!
Which brings me to my favorite thing:
This copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was given to my great-aunt Rhoda by my grandmother. Grandma wrote an inscription inside the cover. I never met Rhoda because she died in 1918, along with another sister, Maggie, from influenza. They died within 10 days of each other during the devastating influenza epidemic that took so many lives in 1918. Rhoda was only 15 and was the apple of my grandmother’s eye. I don’t think she ever got over the untimely loss of her sisters. The pages of this book are so fragile that I rarely open it. Grandma held on to it all her life and I am honored to have it here at the cottage.
Now it’s time for you to share your favorite things.
You can link up anytime from this evening through Sunday. Make sure you enter the URL of your post. If you’re unsure how to do that, just click on your post title after you’ve published it and copy the information in your browser address window. Come back here, paste the URL into your link entry and there you go! If you have any problems, drop me an email and I’ll help you out. Please link back to this blog on your post. That way, those that read your post and are interested in reading more can do so.
One of my concerns about link parties is that the very reason for them has somewhat gone by the wayside. They’ve become so big and there are so many of them that many bloggers don’t take the time to visit any of the other participants. Link parties are a way to meet new bloggers and share with each other and the only way to do that is to visit each other. So, please, take some time to visit everyone over the next few days. No rush. Stop by, introduce yourself, and leave a comment. It’s the neighborly thing to do.
Have fun!
My grandmother died during that same influenza in the 20s. I never met her but I look a great deal like her. She graduated nursing school in Chicago and then met my grandfather and moved to Michigan. My relatives are all from Michigan on my father’s side, honey. I’ll have to post a photo of her sometime.
Hope you’re doing well.
xoxo,
Connie
Years ago so many children died from influenza and other diseases. My Mom lost 2 sisters and a brother to illnesses that could have been overcome today. I know that my grandparents never got over the loss. Your book is a treasure and Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorites. I just re-read it last year and have read several books about Lewis Carroll. Now that teddy bear ~ that sweet thing has stolen my heart! This is a really fun party Claudia. Thanks so much for getting us all together every Friday!
Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Hi Claudia, My mother was not yet born during that influenza, but two of her older siblings did die during it. That left only 7 children to grow to adulthood, but none of them ever spoke of the tragedy. I think many families were affected by it. Your book is indeed very special. It makes me so sad to see old books deliberately ripped up! I suppose they can’t all be saved, but it is nice to see one like yours, with its history and an inscription, still loved. Linda
My grandmother, my mom’s mother died in 1920 from pneumonia from having influenza. My mom was only 3 1/2 when that happened but all of her siblings had to be taken in by relatives and raised. Their were 5 of them. Their father had had demons of his own and took off and left the family. I’ve only seen one pic of either one of them and I only still have the one of my grandmother but it is as a child. It’s a very sweet photo though. I would love to do the favorite thing link but it looks complicated. I may have to get your help with it. I love your book Claudia…bittersweet story. How nice that it is still in the family. ~ Hugs, Patti
One of my favorite things is your blog, Claudia. It always has been.
Hope you are well. I tried to email you a few weeks ago, but I’m not sure you got it.
I had to shut down my other address due to someone sending me a virus. I was afraid it would attack my blog.
Hope things are going better for you.
Wishing you a happy fall!
XO,
Sheila
Thanks bunches for hosting again this week. Enjoy your weekend.
My husband and I walked through an old cemetery north of our town this summer and saw many tombstones belonging to children who died during the influenza epidemic of 1918. The tombstones are a sad reminder of the hardships familys endured in that time. Your book from that era is just beautiful!!
This is my first time linking up to your party. Thanks so much for hosting, and I look forward to visiting all the other entries.
Vickie
Your book is a real treasure. Thanks for hosting this very fun party. I love visiting all the posts and seeing what is a favorite thing to someone! Hugs, Linda
I looked around my room and saw it was filled with my favorite things. Pictures, family groups, bits of vintage. Your Favorite Thing Saturday has brought my eyes back to favorites that have been hiding in plain view. I mixed a painting project with favorites this week. Thanks for holding this party Claudia. I feel like we are long time friends, just through a different media. My Mom’s Dad had influenza at the end of WWI, and he became mentally unwell, left his family to fend and disappeared up north. Mom never talked about it but her older sister had a few memories and she shared.
Joy
So many great things. Dottie’s hutch just makes me start shaking and want to cry…amazing! I am in tears over The Alice and Wonderland book. I just can’t imagine that. :( My grandmother lost siblings to diphtheria. There are stories of the doctor coming in and telling her mother, that “this one will go, this one will survive” etc. pointing at the children and he was right. :( That book is just such a treasure.
Thanks for featuring my Motto post Claudia. Very nice surprise. I wrote about several favorites this week, mostly related to gardening which is something I enjoy. Two favorite plants for me are Mom’s Peace Rose and Dad’s Ruby Rhubarb plant. Thanks for hosting. I appreciate the opportunity to join in.
Rob
Hi Claudia. I am happy that I could join in this week. I posted about my flower frog collections and about family memories brought to mind in a photo. Thank you for hosting.
Denise
hi claudia!
your alice in wonderland book is so beautiful and what a story behind it. ever think of color-copying the cover, perhaps you could then reduce it and frame it for your doll house? just some sleepy ramblings from me.
hope all is well at MHC!
xo
elyse
hi claudia! i love your AIW book! what a treasure to have and to hold onto the memories connected to it, too. i am joining in on the fun this week! i am purely smitten with the christmas collections in the first photo. what fun stuff everyone is sharing! will be back to check in on the posts linked to yours.
hugs,
becky
good morning Claudia
Your book is beautiful. My great grandfather died in the same period. I think there are a few things that belonged to my grandmother in my parents house. I love having reminders of my ancestors. happy weekend to you and thanks for hosting the party. :-)
What a wonderful treasure. I can’t imagine the hardships our relatives endured during those times. Two sisters in 10 days… :(. It is a beauty of a book and would be right at home at the cottage. Thanks for hosting, and great features too! :)
Hi Claudia, what a beautiful keepsake to have in your family. You have so many lovely things that have been handed down. Live was not easy for past generations, that is for sure. How very sad for your grandmother. I cannot even imagine that type of loss… Donna
Claudia, What a wonderful linky party! I did not bring anything this week, but I put it on my calendar and will be back next week. Now I am off to visit all these wonderful posts! Thanks for hosting!
Your book is wonderful Claudia ~ and so special as a family keepsake, although its a sad story.
I’ve missed 2 weeks of favorite things due to vacation and then “catchup”, but I’ll be back!
Have a good weekend.
What a sweet book– a real treasure! Thanks for hosting this “party!” Fun!
I really enjoy visiting all the favorites each week. Thanks, Claudia for hosting. Have a nice weekend.
Balisha
Just so lovely, Claudia! I adore your book and the sad story behind it. How wonderful that you have something from your grandmother with so much personal meaning.
Happy Saturday Claudia,
I love peeping into collections. I think they give us a good view of the personality of someone.
This was a good way to start my weekend.
Sending love across the miles,
Sharon
Claudia, your Alice in Wonderland book is lovely, and such a treasure.
We were wandering through old grave sites here, and there were so many young people who had passed on around the same time. After some research we found out that the influenza epidemic had whipped through here also.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Claudia, your book is a treasure. I have studied the 1918 flu and it was a truly horrible event. I am so glad to have made the party because I almost did not make it due to this surgery. Thanks for hosting,olive
How special to have your grandmother’s book — the cover illustration is delightful!
This is my first time to join in your link party — but it won’t be my last! I’ve spent the morning visiting the others and having the most wonderful time!!
Excited to be joining in again this week, Claudia. Can’t wait to do some visiting :)
Hugs,
Laura
That book is magnnificent, although the story behind it made me sad, especially knowing how close I am to my two sisters. Life was so hard back then. It makes you appreciate your heritage so very much. My mom has a Alice in Wonderfland book (that belongs to me not) but it has a different appearance to it. I’ll have to check it out closer. It’s been awhile since I’ve looked at, due to the fragile nature.
Great party! Thanks for hosting.
Oh my, what a sweet party you’re hosting, Claudia! I must play catch up as it looks like I’ve missed too much over here :(
Hugs for now, and thanks for your blogging friendship!
xoxo
I love your beautiful book. Your story reminds me of how much less we suffer from illness, and how much less frequently we lose loved ones at a young age these days. Something to be thankful for. Is it turning beautiful in your part of the country? Hope you’re good!
That is such a lovely book, Claudia, but what a sad history it has. It does make it so precious. You’re so lucky to still have it. What a treasure! Thank you for hosting the party. I’m looking forward to seeing all the other “favorites”. Take care and have a wonderful week. I hope your weather today was as beautiful as ours. Bright sun and pretty blue skies.
Oh my, Claudia. What a treasure your books is. The cover is exquisite – and pink.♥
Thank you for featuring my Teddy Claudia!
Your Alice in Wonderland book is so precious. Sadness is attached to it but like someone before me said in the comments it’s also a great reminder of how lucky today’s kids are with all that protection from diseases. I find the cover image striking and bittersweet with sweet Alice asleep – knowing how your Grandma must have looked at it many times, longing for her lost babes.
Thank you for sharing, and for hosting this great link-up.